Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,241, Thomas Goodwin, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Goodwin, Thomas.
S. 2241
Carded
CONTENTS

Massachusetts
13415 Thomas Goodwin
of Middlesex in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded
by Col Ballard in the Mass
time for 30 (thirty) Days
(died over) M ch
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 36 Dollars 25 Cents per annum
to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June
1833 and sent to
Abel P. present
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 1833 $72.88
Semi-annual allowance ending 21 Sept
1832
$91.11
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. B. N o Blair Clerk
Book 10, Vol. 2, Page 28,

Letter to Mr. Preston 17 Dec 1837
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1 st April 1838 from 4 Sep 1837 to 11 Jan 1838 the day of its death - Agts notified 27 July 1840
77 Middlesex

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 20 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The child n of Thomas Goodwin, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Thirty Six Dollars and 44 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1837, to the 11 th January 1838, the day of his death,
Respectfully yours,
William L. G. Carrington Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss.
On this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas  Probate , now sitting at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid Thomas Goodwin , a resident of Billerica in said County & Commonwealth officer aged Seventy four - years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
In the year 1776, he enlisted into said service at said Billerica, under Capt. James Barrett, for six months, for the Northern Campaign, - marched in the month of June or July, to Chelmsford, was there inspected, then through Walpole, Charlestown N.E. N.H. across the Connecticut River to Springfield to Greenfield, Vt. thence to Sheepsborough, then down the Lake to Scituate, where he found Continental Troops & militia, under Genl. Gates - served out his said six months, being being marched to Albany, was then discharged & returned home to Billerica, late in the Winter. During this time, the Americans had shipping built at Sheepsborough to defend their force on the Lake. - There was also other vessels between the Heels & the Lake. - In 1777, in July or August, again enlisted at Billerica, for 4 months for the Northern Campaign, under Capt. Stephen Russell of Dracut marched immediately to Northampton, then through Manchester, Paulet to Cambridge, then stopped some time scouting in the woods - then all the troops were marched down almost to Sheepsborough, then suddenly were ordered to face about & marched back & crossed over North River to Stillwater, where was collected the American Army under Genl. Gates, on his march heard of the battle of Bunker Hill, was in the battle of Stillwater, and followed Burgoyne's army as they retreated to Saratoga. After Burgoyne's surrender, he marched with the Army to Albany, then down the Hudson to Ticonderoga, which was burnt by the British, then to White Plains, where the term of his enlistment having expired, he was discharged and returned home to Billerica; does not recollect the day - but it was in the Winter.
In 1778, he enlisted into the service to make up the Louis deficiency of their quota of 8000 men to go to Rhode Island served in Capt. Joseph B. Varnum's company was there when the British evacuated Rhode Island, and returned to Boston when the Americans retreated, served then weeks, was released & returned home to Billerica again - It has no documentary evidence - never receiving any discharge - Thinks of no person, he can prove, who can testify to his service during the last term above mentioned - The other terms are proved by the Depositions hereto annexed.

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whomsoever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Sworn to and Thomas Goodwin
We
Nathaniel Whitman a Clergyman residing in the town of Billerica in the county of Middlesex & Samuel Whiting Isaac Billerica hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Goodwin who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be sixty five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Nathaniel Whitman Samuel Whiting
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Nathaniel Whitman who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Billerica, Samuel Whiting who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
S.P.P. Safford Clerk of the Court of
I Isaac Fish Register Probate in & for said County of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Goodwin for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Isaac Fish
I also certify that Marshall Patten Green whose own proper signature is set to the certificate to the depositions annexed is a justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832
Isaac Fish

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the fourteenth day of August A. D. 1932 On the application of Thomas Goodwin — claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit :
1. Where, and in what year were you born ? Answer, — In Billerica said County, on the 9 th day of December in the year 1756 .
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it ? Answer, — This birth is recorded in the Town Records of Billerica , a certificate of which, by the Town Clerk of said Town, is hereto annexed. —
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live ? Answer,
Lived at said Billerica, during the Revolution & have lived there ever since —
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom ? Answer,
Enlisted — as before stated. —
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service ?
Answer, At the North. Genl. Gates.
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution ?
Answer,
Rev. Nathaniel Whitman, Samuel Whiting Esq. John Baldwin
Esq.
Thomas Goodwin
Madison, August 17. 1932 In Probate Court
Sworn to in open Court
Att: Francis H. Page

Extract from the Town Records of the Town of Billerica in the County of Middlesex, relating to the birth of the aforesaid Thomas Goodwin -
"Thomas, son of Thomas & Mary Goodwin was born Decem r . 9 th 1736."
A true copy
Attest. Marshall Preston Town Clerk of said Billerica. -
Billerica. Aug t . 16. 1832. -

I John Wright of Billerica in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Secondly six years of age, on oath, testify and say that I enlisted in to the army, in the Service of the Colonies, to go on to the North, to Tienderoga for the term of six months in the year, 1776 - That about the tenth day of June of the same year, unmarched and there in that northern Campaign served that term & until the close of the Campaign, which was in the winter following. - That Thomas Goodwin of Billerica went into the Service at the same time, with me, and served through the same campaign, but not in the same company, I saw him daily, having been well acquainted with said Goodwin, before he enlisted. - his Captain name was James Bancraft, 1 st Lieut, a Mr Pratt, 2 d Lieutenant, Thomas Richardson, Ensign, Sam Cook - we were both discharged at the same time - John Wright
Middlesex, ss. July 6 th 1832. Then personally appeared the whose credible will be.

I John Wright of Billerica in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of twenty six years of age, on oath, testify and say that I enlisted into the army, in the service of the Colonies, to go on to the North, to Tienderoga for the term of six months in the year, 1776 - That about the tenth day of June of the same year, in March and there in that northern Campaign served that term & until the close of the Campaign, which was in the winter following. - That Thomas Goodwin of Billerica went into the service at the same time, with me, and served through the same campaign, but not in the same company, I saw him daily, having been well acquainted with said Goodwin, before he enlisted. - His Captain name was James Bancraft, 1 st Lieut, a Mr Pratt, 2 d Lieutenant, Thomas Richardson, Ensign, Sam Cook - we were both discharged at the same time - John Wright
Middlesex, ss. July 6 th 1832. Then personally appeared the above named John Wright, who is a credible witness. and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed above
Before me. Marshall Preston per Mr Penn

I Peter Hunt of Parksbury in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of seventy nine years of age, on oath testify & say that I was in the service of the in the American Army in 1777 on the Northern Campaign, at the time of Burgoyne's surrender and that Thomas Goodwin of Billerica was in the same service with me at that time, in Capt. Stephen Russell's company, and was attached to Col. Bullen's Regt. - Lt Col Brown, that said Goodwin was in the service for three months and I do not know but a longer time - according to my best recollection, we did not return until in the winter - Peter Hunt
Middlesex ss. July 30. 1832 - Then personally appeared the above named Peter Hunt, who is a credible witness & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Marshall Preston Jus. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County. ss. —
On this second day of April in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & thirty three, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, within the said County of Middlesex, Thomas Goodwin, of Billerica in said County, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades:
For six months, in the year 1776, I served in the Northern Campaign as a private —
For four months, in the year, 1777, at the taking of Bargarine I served as a private —
For twenty one days, in the year 1778, at Rhode Island I served as a private, and for the above mentioned terms of service I claim a pension —
Thomas Goodwin
Sworn to & subscribed this 2 d day of April 1833
Before me Marshall Preston.
Jur. Marshall
On the same second day of April, above named, the said Thomas Goodwin, in answer to the sixth interrogatory of objections of the War Department, he , being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that he served under Capt. James Banerft, of Reading, Lt. Thomas Richardson, of Billerica & one Lt. Pratt, & Ensign Seers book of

Billerica, during the first term of service aforesaid—
That during the second term of service, above named He served under Capt Stephen Russell of Dracut, Lt. Warren of Chelmsford, Lt. Christopher Page of Bedford, Ensign not recollected in Col Bullard's Regiment, Major Bryant—
That during the third term of service above named, He served under Capt. Joseph B. Varney of Dracut, Lieu- tenants & Ensigns names not recollected—
Thomas Goodwin
Sworn to & subscribed this 2 nd day of April. A.D. 1833
Before me Marshall Preston Jus of the Peace
I further certify that above named Thomas Goodwin is the same person, who took and subscribed the original declaration, to which this is annexed
Marshall Preston Jus of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex County. ss.
I Isaac Fiske, Register & Clerk of the Court of Probate, within the said County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that Marshall Preston Esq. whose own proper signature is set to the Affidavit & Deposition hereto annexed, is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Middlesex.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate, at Cambridge this nineteenth day of June A.D. 1833.
Isaac Fiske

Rev. Mass.
2241.
INVALID.
Rev.
File No. 2241.
Thomas Goodwin
Prin. Mass. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 144.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

7115
Thomas Goodwin
Return this with the papers
Twat 10 mo. & 28 days
Capt Bancroft. Col —
Map Lane
5. 6. 16 —
P. 288
$36.44
Har S. Nelson

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Goodwin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.